Compare the2023 Mercedes E-Class SedanVS 2023 Volvo S60

Both the E-Class Sedan and the S60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available lane departure warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class Sedan is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes E-Class Sedan is safer than the Volvo S60:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 36 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Volvo dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the E-Class Sedan’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the E-Class Sedan has a standard 850-amp battery. The S60’s 800-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the E-Class Sedan third among midsize premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The S60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. With 67 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Volvo With 61 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Volvo.

The E 350 Sedan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 8 more horsepower (255 vs. 247) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 258) than the S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the E 450 4MATIC Sedan 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

Both the E-Class Sedan and the S60 have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All E-Class Sedans have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The S60 T8 doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The E-Class Sedan 350’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The E-Class Sedan 450’s standard fuel tank has 5.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the S60 (21.1 vs. 15.9 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes E-Class Sedan, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the S60.

The E-Class Sedan stops much shorter than the S60:

For better traction, the E-Class Sedan has larger tires than the S60 (245/45R18 vs. 235/45R18).

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the E-Class Sedan can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The E-Class Sedan has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The front and rear suspension of the E-Class Sedan uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S60, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

The E-Class Sedan offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The S60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The E-Class Sedan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The E-Class Sedan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The S60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The E-Class Sedan’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The S60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the E-Class Sedan’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the S60 (115.7 inches vs. 113.1 inches).

The E-Class Sedan 4MATIC handles at .93 G’s, while the S60 AWD pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The E-Class Sedan 4MATIC executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S60 Plus AWD (25.1 seconds @ .77 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the E 450 4MATIC Sedan is quieter than the S60 Core (40 vs. 42 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the E-Class Sedan a Mid-size car, while the S60 is rated a Compact.

The E-Class Sedan has 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the S60.

The E-Class Sedan has a much larger trunk than the S60 (13.1 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

The engine in the E-Class Sedan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The E-Class Sedan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Heated windshield washer fluid is standard on the E-Class Sedan to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The S60 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its optional heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the E-Class Sedan has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The S60 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the E-Class Sedan has standard extendable sun visors. The S60 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the E-Class Sedan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The S60 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the E-Class Sedan keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The S60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The E-Class Sedan offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the S60.

The E-Class Sedan’s optional Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

The Mercedes E-Class comes in coupe, convertible, sedan and station wagon bodystyles; the Volvo S60 isn’t available as a coupe, convertible or station wagon.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the E-Class Sedan is less expensive to operate than the S60 because typical repairs cost much less on the E-Class Sedan than the S60, including $48 less for front brake pads and $367 less for a fuel pump.

Motor Trend selected the E-Class as their 2021 Car of the Year. The S60 has never been chosen.

The Mercedes E-Class/CLS outsold the Volvo 60 Series by over two to one during 2022.